A Grand —If Somewhat Delayed — Opening for Pilates ProWorks

Half a year after its "soft" opening, the rather unlikely pair responsible for Pilates ProWorks Oakland on Lakeshore Avenue decided they really should have a "grand" opening.

So this coming Saturday, Jan. 25, clients, prospective clients, business neighbors and passersby are invited to visit the studio at 3303 Lakeshore between noon and 4 p.m. to enjoy free tastings from The Living Apothecary, mini massages and and a trunk show from Oakland Surf Club.

The first 25 people to stop by will also receive free swag bags with natural health, beauty and sports products.

"Any longer, it would be an anniversary," joked studio director Perry Pownall.

By this point, the studio is running smoothly in the space formerly occupied by Juniper Tree. Pownall says she and owner Tumeh Sohrabpour love the neighborhood.

"Finding this spot was sort of serendipitous," she said. "We were looking for a space in Berkeley and not finding one. Our broker suggested we look in this area."

The pair came to the fitness business through unusual routes. Pownall was working in fundraising development at UC San Francisco. Sohrabpour had a lighting business on Union Street in San Francisco and got to know the owner of the original Pilates ProWorks across the street. She was impressed with their program, a combination of Pilates, barre and TRX workouts for a range of fitness levels.

The Lakeshore studio is the first Pilates ProWorks franchise, while the parent company has locations in San Francisco, Mill Valley, Minnesota and the owner's home town, Bogota, Colombia. 

Pilates ProWorks, 3303 Lakeshoe Ave., Oakland, (510) 835-2118, http://www.pilatesproworks.com/oakland_lakeshore. Open seven days a week. Classes include pre- and post-natal workouts. Child care by reservation. 

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